OK guys....lots of arguments and discussions lately....So, I decided to lay my cards down, let everyone see them and you guys can just dig in (as I expect everyone to).
But before i start, please everyone, lets remember to not take these things personal. I RESPECTFULLY disagree with things many of you have had to say: Johnnystew, dissention, strandinthewind, gldstwmn. But what makes it so great, is that at the end of the day, I respect these people(and more I havent listed) because they have VALID opinions they can back up. I have no problems with political discussions as long as they dont get personal. I have been able to maintain wonderful relationships with the above in other forums. I just happen to disagree with them politically. In fact, I have met some of them and they are AMAZING people. So, I just ask that we remember not to take these things personally. At the end of the day, we have to live with each other. Through thich and thin ,left or right
With that being said, I will go into extreme detil as to why I vote Republican and the few things I trust the Democrats with...
First we'll start with what I agree with the Democratic party:
The Environment: I live in Miami as most of you know, and I am a big believer in defending the environment. I happen to be a big fan of the ocean. I go snorkelling, fishing, and i hope to get my diving certification soon. I love sharks, and I have a feeling that unless we start MASSIVE conservation now, they'll be gone soon. Unfortunately, this is not one of the Republicans top priorities which is a shame. I also live 5 minutes from The Everglades...a beautiful swamp land filled with birds, alligators, etc...Over the past few years, I have contributed LOTS of my own personal money to wonderful environmental organizations that protecT the Everglades and the coral reefs.
Thats about it! LOL!
Now what everyone has all been waiting for:
Terrorism: Now alot of you claim "we had no reason to be in Iraq because there were no WMD's" As sane people do you really think Saddam, a man who clearly had WMD's before, would wake up and decide not to have them? The man is clearly dellusional. Pick up a psychology book and look it up. Even after he was captured the idiot was still calling himself the king of Iraq! If thats not legally crazy, I dont know what is. But my point in this is.....PEOPLE DO NOT CHANGE. Pedifiles don't just wake up one morning and think : "Im not going to be a pedifile today or ever". Same thing with murderers and people like Saddam. Im sure everyone who says about the WMD's pretty much knows deep down inside Saddam hid them somewhere, and if you dont prove to me this crazy idiot changed his way of being from 1998 until now. You cant! He was still putting people in mass graves, still torturing civilians. This man has not changed and Im willing to bet my soul he had them and hid them.
Point is....if Saddam had WMD's he could have sold them to people who were going to use them. THATS WHY HE WAS A THREAT. the chances of him HIMSELF using them were slim to none. But he could've sold them to others. Hell, this man paid money to the families of homicide bombers in the Israel/Palestine region! Thats what makes Saddam part of the war on terror. By TEXTBOOK definition Saddam Hussein was a threat to the well being of this country whether directly or indirectly. PERIOD. Mock the war all you want, but it is clear if Saddam had gotten anything, it would have been on its way here or to other parts of the world. Maybe if the French weren't SO DEEP into Saddam's pocket, then they would have suppoorted the war. And lets not forget the UN who CLEARLY KNEW Saddam was raiding the oil for food program money for his own personal use. Money meant for the Iraqi people going to buy a 24 karat gold toilet seat for presidential palace #7 for Saddam Hussein....and you guys are willing to tell me he should have stayed? Please.
Now you guys will come back and say "Well, Alex, wasnt Iran or N. Korea more important than Iraq?" Depends. These countries are pushed up against the wall diplomatically. Hell, they can barey fart without us noticing. The problem is Saddam was the biggest "under the sheets" threat. (if that makes no sense, just respond i'll go more into detail)
Abortion, religious issues, gay rights, etc: I do not consider myself the best Cathollic of life. Hell, I never go to church, Do I agree with the church sometimes? Yes. Do I disagree witht he church sometime? yes. Abortion seems to be where I agree most. I think its wrong. Thats just my own view on it. Gay rights is where I get more liberal. I think privacy is very important. What happens at home stays at home. So, I have little problems with gay rights. I even think civil unions should be alllowed, and recognized by the state. Now, i do disagree with marriage. I feel religion is almost like joining a country club. Theres rules to join and rules to follow in both. If the church defines marriage as between a man and a woman, then theres really nothing you can really do. But I disagree with the states defining marriage. That should be seperation of church and state. Now I know there are MANY gay ledgies, and i respect them 100% as people and my friends, and I hope I did not offend anyone. Like I said, this is my own personal opinion and I hope I do not lose any Ledgie support.
Cuba: I've gone through this many times before. As a Cuban I just can not vote Democrat (Even though the Repubs have not done anything either). This is my strongest personal issue. My great grandfather was killed by the hands of the Castro regime, and I've said many times that I would in a heartbeat sacrifice my own life to have that evil man wiped off the face of the earth. I still have large amounts of family there and in pains me they are 90 miles away from me in a virtual prison.
Those are just some of my own PERSONAL views. I hope I do not come under personal attacks. I respect any disagreements you may have on what I ha typed! Thanks for taking the time to listen....
~Alex